Despite the punishing summer heat, medical and dental students have been left without summer vacations this year, as the delayed start to MBBS and BDS academic sessions has thrown the entire schedule into disarray, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Wednesday.
Traditionally, MBBS classes begin on March 1st, but this year, due to admission delays, classes kicked off in April—leaving little room in the academic calendar for a proper summer break. As a result, students will get only a token 7-day vacation in July, and in some years, not even that.
The impact is particularly harsh for second- and third-year students, whose already demanding schedules have been squeezed further due to new MBBS module changes. Many students have voiced frustration, pointing out that only those in medical and dental colleges seem to be singled out for this treatment, while students in other disciplines enjoy regular summer holidays.
To make matters worse, students living in hostels report that air conditioning is either unavailable or non-functional, forcing them to endure the record-breaking heat without adequate facilities.
With temperatures soaring and little respite in sight, aspiring doctors are feeling the physical and mental toll of a system that, ironically, is supposed to teach them how to care for others.
Reporter: Zahid Chaudhary